2 Corinthians 4:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is why he calls his apostolic work not rule or leadership, but only "ministry." Even with this he is not content, but adds, "by God's mercy."

That is, "even the very fact that we have been appointed ministers depends only on God's mercy and love for mankind."

True, mercy delivers from evils, rather than bestowing such blessings as were given to the Apostles. Yet this too belongs to God's mercy.

"We do not lose heart," that is, "even the fact that we do not grow despondent must be ascribed to His love for mankind."

The phrase "by God's mercy" must be referred both to the ministry and to the words "we do not lose heart."

See how he strives to soften what he had said about himself before. He says that one deemed worthy of such great and many blessings, and deemed worthy only by mercy and love for mankind, does nothing great, however much he labors.

Nor does he do anything great whatever dangers he undergoes, or whatever temptations he endures.

This light is the gentle light of the holy glory of the Immortal One. Or, what is the same, it is the image of God, invisible in essence, Who illumined the Apostles through Jesus Christ, and then all believers.

Although the essential thoughts in all that has been said concern the glory and greatness of Christianity in general, they also concern the Apostles as representatives of Christianity. This is especially so because certain accusations were made against them.

That is why the Apostle often speaks of himself: we do not lose heart, but have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor falsifying the word of God, cf. 2:17.

Concerning these last words, St. John Chrysostom remarks: "The false apostles boasted as if they were free from love of money, while they took gifts, only secretly.

"They were regarded as holy, but in reality they had many vices. We, says the Apostle, have rejected everything, that is, what he calls the hidden things of shame."

"We are in deed what we are in word. We have nothing ambiguous, hidden, or crafty, either in our life or in our preaching."

"It is not our fault that our Gospel is veiled for some. The cause is their own blindness and their perishing condition."

"What happened to the Jews under Moses also happens to all unbelievers during the Gospel. Because of the fattening of their heart, the light of the Gospel of Christ's glory is hidden from them.

"That is, they do not see that the Cross is the salvation and glory of the world. They do not see that He Who was crucified upon it wishes to come again with great glory.

"Everything else also remains hidden from them: present and future things, visible and invisible things, and the ineffable manifestation of the expected blessings.

"It is hidden because they themselves first did not wish to believe this.

"To show that those who have not known Christ's glory do not know only Christ's glory, but also the Father's glory, the Apostle added: Who is the image of the invisible God.

"Yet one cannot stop at Christ alone. As through Christ you see the Father, so if you do not know Christ's glory, you do not know the Father's glory either."

"By the shining of this light, we too see not things subject to the senses, but God Himself."

As though continuing this, blessed Theodoret writes: "Since the divine nature is invisible, it becomes visible, as far as possible, through the assumed humanity, illumined by divine light and emitting lightning-like radiance."

"For this reason he uses such a turn of speech as shows that everything depends not on his own perfections, but on God's love for mankind. Therefore he says, 'having this ministry.'

"That is, we have contributed nothing of our own. We are only God's servants and executors of the instructions given by Him.

"Therefore he calls his apostolic work not rule or leadership, but only ministry. Still not content with this, he then says, 'as we have received mercy.'

"That is, even the very fact that we have been appointed ministers of the Gospel depends only on God's mercy and love for mankind.

"We do not lose heart. That is, even the fact that we do not grow despondent must be ascribed to God's love for mankind.

"For the words 'as we have received mercy' must be referred both to the ministry and to these words, 'we do not lose heart.'

"By this he says that one deemed worthy of such great and many blessings, and deemed worthy only by God's mercy and love for mankind, does nothing great, however much he labors.

"Nor does he do anything great whatever dangers he undergoes, or whatever temptations he endures. Therefore, he says, we not only do not lose heart, but even rejoice and are bold" (St. Chrysostom).